System and method for reduced forwarding information storage

ABSTRACT

A system and method for reduced forwarding information storage includes extracting an organizationally unique identifier (OUI) and a MAC part from a MAC address, determining whether information associated with the OUI is stored in an OUI table, determining an OUI index based on the information associated with the OUI and the OUI table when the OUI is stored in the OUI table, generating the OUI index based on the information associated with the OUI when the OUI is not stored in the OUI table, forming a forwarding information table entry including information associated with the OUI index and information associated with the MAC part, and inserting the forwarding information table entry into a forwarding information table.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to information handlingsystems, and more particularly to reduced forwarding informationstorage.

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option is an information handling system (IHS). An IHS generallyprocesses, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data forbusiness, personal, or other purposes. Because technology andinformation handling needs and requirements may vary between differentapplications, IHSs may also vary regarding what information is handled,how the information is handled, how much information is processed,stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the informationmay be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in IHSs allowfor IHSs to be general or configured for a specific user or specific usesuch as financial transaction processing, airline reservations,enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, IHSs mayinclude a variety of hardware and software components that may beconfigured to process, store, and communicate information and mayinclude one or more computer systems, data storage systems, andnetworking systems.

Additionally, some embodiments of information handling systems includenon-transient, tangible machine-readable media that include executablecode that when run by one or more processors, may cause the one or moreprocessors to perform the steps of methods described herein. Some commonforms of machine readable media include, for example, floppy disk,flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium,CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any otherphysical medium with patterns of holes, RAM, PROM, EPROM, FLASH-EPROM,any other memory chip or cartridge, and/or any other medium from which aprocessor or computer is adapted to read.

Computer networks form the interconnection fabric that enables reliableand rapid communications between computer systems and data processorsthat are in both close proximity to each other and at distant locations.These networks create a vast spider web of intranets and internets forhandling all types of communication and information. Making all of thispossible is a vast array of network switching products that makeforwarding decisions in order to deliver packets of information from asource system or first network node to a destination system or secondnetwork node. Due to the size, complexity, and dynamic nature of thesenetworks, sophisticated network switching products are often required tocontinuously make forwarding decisions and to update forwardinginformation, such as media access control (MAC) addresses and/or IPaddresses, as network configurations change.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide improved network switchingproducts that can store forwarding information efficiently.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a method of forwarding information tableinsertion includes extracting an organizationally unique identifier(OUI) and a MAC part from a MAC address, determining whether informationassociated with the OUI is stored in an OUI table, determining an OUIindex based on the information associated with the OUI and the OUI tablewhen the OUI is stored in the OUI table, generating the OUI index basedon the information associated with the OUI when the OUI is not stored inthe OUI table, forming a forwarding information table entry includinginformation associated with the OUI index and information associatedwith the MAC part, and inserting the forwarding information table entryinto a forwarding information table.

In some examples, the forwarding information table is a MAC table. Insome examples, the forwarding information table is a layer 3 (L3) table.

According to another embodiment, a method of MAC table lookup includesextracting an organizationally unique identifier (OUI) and a MAC partfrom a MAC address, determining an OUI index based on informationassociated with the OUI and an OUI table, combining informationassociated with the OUI index and information associated with the MACpart, and retrieving a MAC table entry from a MAC table based on thecombined information associated with the OUI index and the informationassociated with the MAC part.

According to yet another embodiment, a method of MAC address resolutionincludes determining an OUI index and a MAC part based on informationassociated with an IP address, determining an OUI based on informationassociated with the OUI index, and combining the OUI and the MAC part toform a MAC address.

According to yet another embodiment, an information handling systemincludes a network switching unit including one or more processors andmemory, an OUI table, and a MAC table. The network switching unit isconfigured to be coupled to one or more network devices. The networkswitching unit is configured to extract an organizationally uniqueidentifier (OUI) and a MAC part from a MAC address; determine whetherinformation associated with the OUI is stored in the OUI table; when theOUI is stored in the OUI table, determine an OUI index based on theinformation associated with the OUI and the OUI table; when the OUI isnot stored in the OUI table, generate the OUI index based on theinformation associated with the OUI and inserting the informationassociated with the OUI and the OUI index into the OUI table; form a MACtable entry including information associated with the OUI index andinformation associated with the MAC part; and insert the MAC table entryinto the MAC table.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of data flow used to reduce MAC tablestorage requirements using an OUI Index according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram of a method of MAC table insertion usingan OUI Index according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram of data flow used to lookup a MAC tableentry according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a simplified diagram of a method of MAC table lookup using anOUI Index according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram of data flow used to reduce L3 tablestorage requirements using an OUI Index according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a simplified diagram of a method of L3 table insertion usingan OUI Index according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a simplified diagram of data flow used to resolve a MACaddress from an IP address according to some embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a simplified diagram of a method of resolving a MAC addressfrom an IP address using an OUI Index according to some embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a simplified diagram of a network device according to someembodiments.

In the figures, elements having the same designations have the same orsimilar functions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, specific details are set forth describingsome embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. It will beapparent, however, to one skilled in the art that some embodiments maybe practiced without some or all of these specific details. The specificembodiments disclosed herein are meant to be illustrative but notlimiting. One skilled in the art may realize other elements that,although not specifically described here, are within the scope and thespirit of this disclosure. In addition, to avoid unnecessary repetition,one or more features shown and described in association with oneembodiment may be incorporated into other embodiments unlessspecifically described otherwise or if the one or more features wouldmake an embodiment non-functional.

For purposes of this disclosure, an IHS may include any instrumentalityor aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify,process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display,manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form ofinformation, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control,entertainment, or other purposes. For example, an IHS may be a personalcomputer, a PDA, a consumer electronic device, a display device ormonitor, a network server or storage device, a switch router or othernetwork communication device, or any other suitable device and may varyin size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The IHS mayinclude memory, one or more processing resources such as a centralprocessing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic. Additionalcomponents of the IHS may include one or more storage devices, one ormore communications ports for communicating with external devices aswell as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, amouse, and a video display. The IHS may also include one or more busesoperable to transmit communications between the various hardwarecomponents.

Fast and efficient forwarding of network traffic by an IHS and/or anetwork switching unit is an important feature of most networks. Inorder to keep track of forwarding paths and/or other forwardinginformation, a network switching unit may store use one or moreforwarding information structures. In some examples, the networkswitching unit may maintain a media access control (MAC) table includinginformation necessary to forward network traffic to one or more MACaddresses. In some examples, the network switching unit may maintain alayer 3 (L3) table including information necessary to maintainrelationships between Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and MACaddresses.

Many networks today use a 48 BIT format for MAC addresses. In a 48 BITMAC address, a MAC address is formed using 6 bytes or 48 bits. The MACaddress may be used to identify devices at a physical or layer 2 (L2)network layer, such as Ethernet. In some examples, the MAC address isreferred to as a hardware address. In some examples, the MAC address maybe burned-in or hard-coded to a specific device. To avoid conflicts thatmight occur on a network, MAC addresses are often assignedhierarchically. The first 3 bytes (24 bits) of the MAC address areassigned based on the manufacturer of the device. These 3 bytes areoften referred to as an Organizationally Unique Identifier (OUI). Theremaining 3 bytes (24 bits) of the MAC address are assigned by eachmanufacturer to uniquely identify each device. These 3 bytes are oftenreferred to as a network interface controller (NIC) specific part or aMAC Part.

In some embodiments, such as a data center, a network is created usingnetwork switching units and other devices that may often only originatefrom a limited number of manufacturers. Thus, even though 3 bytes ofeach MAC address being stored are being dedicated to OUIs, there may beonly a small number of different OUIs among the network switching unitand/or other devices in the data center. For network switching unitsthat may be storing forwarding information related to thousands or tensof thousands of MAC addresses, an amount of redundant MAC addressinformation being stored may be extensive. In some examples, memoryavailable for storing forwarding information may be limited.Accordingly, it would be advantageous to store MAC addresses moreefficiently.

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of data flow used to reduce MAC tablestorage requirements using an OUI Index according to some embodiments.As shown in FIG. 1, a MAC address 110 is split into an OUI 112 and a MACPart 114. In some examples, both the OUI 112 and the MAC Part 114 mayeach be 3 bytes in size. The OUI 112 is processed by an OUI hashingfunction 120 to generate an OUI Index 134. In some examples, the OUIhashing function 120 may create a different OUI Index 134 for each OUI112 it receives. In some examples, the OUI Index 134 may be representedusing fewer than 3 bytes. In some examples, a number of bits used torepresent the OUI Index 134 may be configurable. In some examples, thenumber of bits used to represent the OUI Index 134 may be based on anumber of different OUIs 112 that the OUI hashing function 120 may beasked to process. The OUI 112 and the OUI Index 134 are then combined toform an OUI table entry 130. The OUI table entry 130 includes an OUI 132and the OUI Index 134. In some examples, the OUI 132 may be the same asthe OUI 112. In some examples, the OUI table entry 130 may be stored inan OUI table.

The OUI Index 134 generated by the OUI hashing function 120 is also usedin a MAC table entry 140. The MAC table entry 140 includes an OUI Index142, a MAC Part 144, and additional information 146 associated with theMAC address 110. In some embodiments, the OUI Index 134 and the MAC Part114 may be processed by further hashing 150 to form the OUI Index 142and the MAC Part 144. In some embodiments, the further hashing 150 maybe omitted and the OUI Index 142 may be the same as the OUI Index 134,and the MAC Part 144 may be the same as the MAC Part 114. In someexamples, the additional information 146 may include egress informationsuch as an egress port ID used to forward network traffic toward the MACaddress 110.

According to some embodiments, an amount of memory saved by storing theOUI Index 142 rather than the OUI 112 in a MAC table may be significant.In some examples, when the OUI 112 is 3 bytes (24 bits) in length andthe OUI Index 142 is 6 bits in length, 18 bits per MAC table entry 140may be saved and hence less storage is required for the MAC table. Whenthe OUI Index 142 is 6 bits in length the OUI table requires 2⁶=64 OUItable entries of 6+24 bits for a total storage of 1920 bits. In someexamples, when the MAC table includes 1000 entries, this may save 18,000bits in the MAC table less the 1920 bits of the OUI table for a netsavings of over 16,000 bits or 2000 bytes. In some examples, when theMAC table includes 10,000 entries a net savings of nearly 180,000 bitsor over 20,000 bytes may be achieved.

FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram of a method 200 of MAC table insertionusing an OUI Index according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 2,the method 200 includes a process 210 for extracting an OUI and a MACPart, a process 220 for determining if the OUI is in an OUI table, aprocess 230 for generating an OUI Index, a process 240 for inserting theOUI and the OUI Index into the OUI table, a process 250 for determiningthe OUI Index, a process 260 for forming a MAC table entry, and aprocess 270 for inserting the MAC table entry into a MAC table.According to certain embodiments, the method 200 of MAC table insertionusing an OUI Index can be performed using variations among the processes210-270 as would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.According to some embodiments, the process 240 may be omitted. In someembodiments, one or more of the processes 210-270 of method 200 may beimplemented, at least in part, in the form of executable code stored onnon-transient, tangible, machine readable media that when run by one ormore processors (e.g., one or more processors in a network switchingunit) may cause the one or more processors to perform one or more of theprocesses 210-270.

At the process 210, an OUI and a MAC Part are extracted. The OUI and theMAC Part are extracted from their respective portions of a MAC addressfor which a MAC table entry is needed in a MAC table. In some examples,the OUI is a first 3 bytes of a 48 bit MAC address. In some examples,the MAC Part is a last 3 bytes of the 48 bit MAC address. In someexamples, the OUI may be the OUI 112, the MAC Part may be the MAC Part114, and the MAC address may be the MAC address 110.

At the process 220, it is determined whether the OUI is in an OUI table.When the OUI is already in the OUI table, an OUI index corresponding tothe OUI is already known and can be determined using the process 250.When the OUI is not in the OUI table, the OUI index corresponding to theOUI needs to be generated starting at the process 230. In some examples,a table lookup using the OUI may be used to determine whether the OUI isin the OUI table.

At the process 230, the OUI Index is generated. The OUI Index isgenerated based on the OUI extracted during the process 210. In someexamples, a hashing function may be used to generate the OUI Index. Insome examples, the hashing function may be the OUI hashing function 120.

At the optional process 240, the OUI and the OUI Index are inserted intothe OUI table. An OUI table entry may be generated using the OUIextracted during the process 210 and the OUI Index generated during theprocess 230. The OUI table entry includes the OUI and the OUI Index. Insome examples, the OUI table entry is the OUI table entry 130. The OUItable entry is then inserted into the OUI table. In some examples, theOUI table entry in the OUI table may be used during subsequent tablelookups associated with the process 220. In some examples, the OUI tableentry in the OUI table may be used for other purposes. In some examples,the OUI table may be indexed and/or keyed based on the OUI. In someexamples, the OUI table may be indexed and/or keyed based on the OUIIndex. In some examples, the process 240 may be omitted when it is notdesired store the OUI Index in the OUI table.

At the process 250, the OUI Index is determined. In some examples, whenthe OUI extracted during the process 210 already has an existing entryin the OUI table, the existing entry may be used to determine the OUIIndex. In some examples, when the OUI Index is found in the existingentry it is not necessary to regenerate the OUI Index.

At the process 260, a MAC table entry is formed. The MAC table entryincludes the OUI Index either generated during the process 230 ordetermined during the process 250, the MAC Part extracted during theprocess 210, and additional information associated with the MAC address.In some examples, the OUI Index and the MAC Part may be processed byfurther hashing before being included in the MAC table entry. In someexamples, the additional information may include egress information suchas an egress port ID used to forward network traffic toward the MACaddress. In some examples, the MAC table entry may be the MAC tableentry 140.

At the process 270, the MAC table entry is inserted into a MAC table. Insome examples, the MAC table may be indexed and/or keyed based on theOUI Index and/or the MAC Part. In some examples, the MAC table entry isinserted into the MAC table for reference later.

FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram of data flow used to lookup a MAC tableentry according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 3, a MAC address310 is split into an OUI 312 and a MAC Part 314. In some examples, boththe OUI 312 and the MAC Part 314 may each be 3 bytes in size. The OUI312 is used for a table lookup on an OUI table 320. The OUI table 320includes a first column 322 for OUI values and a second column 324 withcorresponding OUI Index values. In some examples, the OUI table 320 maybe indexed and/or keyed based on OUI values in the first column 322. Insome examples, the OUI table 320 may be indexed and/or keyed based onOUI Index values in the second column 324. The OUI table 320 may includeone or more OUI table entries with an OUI value (e.g., OUI_(i)) and acorresponding OUI Index value (e.g., OUI Index_(i)). The OUI 312 may bematched to an OUI value in an OUI table entry and a corresponding OUIIndex value retrieved. In some examples, the OUI table entries may havebeen inserted during one or more applications of the process 240. Asshown in FIG. 3, the OUI 312 is matched to an ith entry 326 of the OUItable 320. The OUI Index_(i) retrieved from the OUI table entry 326 iscombined with the MAC Part 314 to form a MAC table key 330. The MACtable key 330 includes an OUI Index 332 and a MAC Part 334. In someexamples, the OUI Index 332 may be the OUI Index_(i), and the MAC Part334 may be the MAC Part 314. In some examples, one or more of the OUIIndex_(i) and the MAC Part 314 may be hashed before forming the MACtable key 330.

The MAC table key 330 is then used to lookup a MAC table entry in a MACtable 340. The MAC table 340 includes a first column 342 for OUI Indexvalues, a second column 344 for MAC Part values, and a third column 346for additional information associated with a corresponding MAC address.In some examples, the MAC table 340 may be indexed and/or keyed based onOUI Index values in the first column 342 and/or MAC Part values in thesecond column 344. The MAC table 340 may include one or more MAC tableentries with an OUI Index value (e.g., OUI Index_(j)), a MAC Part value(e.g., MAC Part_(j)), and information corresponding to a MAC address(e.g., Egress info etc._(j)). The MAC table key 330 may be matched to anOUI Index value and a MAC Part value in a MAC table entry and acorresponding MAC address information retrieved. In some examples, theOUI Index 332 and the MAC Part 334 may be matched to the OUI Index valueand the MAC Part value. In some examples, the MAC table entries may havebeen inserted during one or more applications of the process 270. Asshown in FIG. 3, the MAC table key 330 is matched to a jth entry 348 ofthe MAC table 340. The corresponding MAC address information (i.e.,Egress info etc._(j)) is then retrieved from the MAC table 340.

FIG. 4 is a simplified diagram of a method 400 of MAC table lookup usingan OUI Index according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4, themethod 400 includes a process 410 for extracting an OUI and a MAC Part,a process 420 for determining an OUI Index, a process 430 for combiningthe OUI Index and the MAC Part, and a process 440 for retrieving a MACtable entry. According to certain embodiments, the method 400 of MACtable lookup using an OUI Index can be performed using variations amongthe processes 410-440 as would be recognized by one of ordinary skill inthe art. In some embodiments, one or more of the processes 410-440 ofmethod 400 may be implemented, at least in part, in the form ofexecutable code stored on non-transient, tangible, machine readablemedia that when run by one or more processors (e.g., one or moreprocessors in a network switching unit) may cause the one or moreprocessors to perform one or more of the processes 410-440.

At the process 410, an OUI and a MAC Part are extracted. The OUI and theMAC Part are extracted from their respective portions of a MAC addressfor which a MAC table entry may be found in a MAC table. In someexamples, the OUI is a first 3 bytes of a 48 BIT MAC address. In someexamples, the MAC Part is a last 3 bytes of the 48 BIT MAC address. Insome examples, the OUI may be the OUI 312, the MAC Part may be the MACPart 314, and the MAC address may be the MAC address 310.

At the process 420, the OUI Index is determined. In some examples, theOUI extracted during the process 410 may be used to lookup the OUI Indexin an OUI table. In some examples, the OUI Index may be the OUI Index332 and the OUI table may be the OUI table 320. In some examples, theOUI Index may be less than 3 bytes in size. In some examples, a numberof bits used to represent the OUI Index may be configurable.

At the process 430, the OUI Index and the MAC Part are combined. In someexamples, the OUI Index and the MAC Part are combined to form a MACtable key. In some examples, one or more of the OUI Index and the MACPart may be hashed before they are combined to form the MAC table key.In some examples, the MAC table key may be the MAC table key 330.

At the process 440, a MAC table entry is retrieved. In some examples,the MAC table key formed during the process 430 may be used to lookupthe MAC table entry in a MAC table. In some examples, the MAC table maybe the MAC table 340. In some examples, the MAC table entry may be theMAC table entry 348. In some examples, the MAC table may be indexedand/or keyed based on OUI Index values and/or MAC Part values. In someexamples, the MAC table entry retrieved may be used to forward networktraffic. In some examples, the MAC table entry retrieved may be updated.

According to some embodiments, the method 400 may require more time tocomplete when compared to a lookup of a MAC table entry when an OUIIndex is not used. In some examples, the additional time may be requireddue to an amount of time to determine the OUI Index during the process420. In some examples, the additional time may be relatively minor whencompared to a time necessary to transmit network traffic when thenetwork traffic is forwarded. In some examples, the additional time isreduced by implementing the process 420 using hardware. In someexamples, the hardware may include a content-addressable memory (CAM)implementing the OUI table.

FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram of data flow used to reduce L3 tablestorage requirements using an OUI Index according to some embodiments.As shown in FIG. 5, an IP address 510 includes an IP value 512. A MACaddress 520 is split into an OUI 522 and a MAC Part 524. In someexamples, both the OUI 522 and the MAC Part 524 may each be 3 bytes insize. The OUI 522 is used for a table lookup on an OUI table 530. TheOUI table 530 includes a first column 532 for OUI values and a secondcolumn 534 with corresponding OUI Index values. In some examples, theOUI table 530 may be indexed and/or keyed based on OUI values in thefirst column 532. In some examples, the OUI table 530 may be indexedand/or keyed based on OUI Index values in the second column 534. The OUItable 530 may include one or more OUI table entries with an OUI value(e.g., OUI_(i)) and a corresponding OUI Index value (e.g., OUIIndex_(i)). The OUI 522 may be matched to an OUI value in an OUI tableentry and a corresponding OUI Index value retrieved. In some examples,the OUI table entries may have been inserted during one or moreapplications of the process 240. In some examples, the OUI table 530 maybe the OUI table 320. As shown in FIG. 5, the OUI 522 is matched to anith entry 536 of the OUI table 530. The IP value 512, the OUI Index,retrieved from the OUI table entry 536, and the MAC Part 524 arecombined to form a L3 table entry 540. The L3 table entry 540 includesan IP value 542, an OUI Index 544, and a MAC Part 546. In some examples,the IP value 542 may be the IP value 512, the OUI Index 544 may be theOUI Index_(i), and the MAC Part 546 may be the MAC Part 524. In someexamples, one or more of the IP value 512, the OUI Index_(i), and theMAC Part 524 may be hashed before forming the L3 table entry 540.

According to some embodiments, an amount of memory saved by storing theOUI Index 544 rather than the OUI 522 in the L3 table may besignificant. In some examples, when the OUI 522 is 3 bytes (24 bits) inlength and the OUI Index 544 is 6 bits in length, 18 bits per L3 tableentry 540 may be saved and hence less storage required for the L3 table.When the OUI Index 544 is 6 bits in length the OUI table 540 requires2⁶=64 OUI table entries of 6+24 bits for a total storage of 1920 bits.In some examples, when the L3 table includes 1000 entries, this may save18,000 bits in the L3 table less the 1920 bits of the OUI table 530 fora net savings of over 16,000 bits or 2000 bytes. In some examples, whenthe L2 table includes 10,000 entries a net savings of nearly 180,000bits or over 20,000 bytes may be achieved.

FIG. 6 is a simplified diagram of a method 600 of L3 table insertionusing an OUI Index according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 6,the method 600 includes a process 610 for extracting an OUI and a MACPart, a process 620 for determining if the OUI is in an OUI table, aprocess 630 for generating an OUI Index, a process 640 for inserting theOUI and the OUI Index into the OUI table, a process 650 for determiningthe OUI Index, a process 660 for forming a L3 table entry, and a process670 for inserting the L3 table entry into a L3 table. According tocertain embodiments, the method 600 of L3 table insertion using an OUIIndex can be performed using variations among the processes 610-670 aswould be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. According tosome embodiments, the process 640 may be omitted. In some embodiments,one or more of the processes 610-670 of method 600 may be implemented,at least in part, in the form of executable code stored onnon-transient, tangible, machine readable media that when run by one ormore processors (e.g., one or more processors in a network switchingunit) may cause the one or more processors to perform one or more of theprocesses 610-670.

At the process 610, an OUI and a MAC Part are extracted. The OUI and theMAC Part are extracted from their respective portions of a MAC addressfor which a L3 table entry is needed in a L3 table. In some examples,the OUI is a first 3 bytes of a 48 BIT MAC address. In some examples,the MAC Part is a last 3 bytes of the 48 BIT MAC address. In someexamples, the OUI may be the OUI 112 and/or the OUI 512, the MAC Partmay be the MAC Part 114 and/or the MAC Part 524, and the MAC address maybe the MAC address 110 and/or the MAC address 520.

At the process 620, it is determined whether the OUI is in an OUI table.When the OUI is already in the OUI table, an OUI index corresponding tothe OUI is already known and can be determined using the process 650.When the OUI is not in the OUI table, the OUI index corresponding to theOUI needs to be generated starting at the process 630. In some examples,a table lookup using the OUI may be used to determine whether the OUI isin the OUI table. In some examples, the OUI table may be the same tableas used during the method 200 and/or the method 400.

At the process 630, the OUI Index is generated. The OUI Index isgenerated based on the OUI extracted during the process 610. In someexamples, a hashing function may be used to generate the OUI Index. Insome examples, the hashing function may be the OUI hashing function 120.

At the optional process 640, the OUI and the OUI Index are inserted intothe OUI table. An OUI table entry may be generated using the OUIextracted during the process 610 and the OUI Index generated during theprocess 630. The OUI table entry includes the OUI and the OUI Index. Insome examples, the OUI table entry is the OUI table entry 130. The OUItable entry is then inserted into the OUI table. In some examples, theOUI table entry in the OUI table may be used during subsequent tablelookups associated with the process 620. In some examples, the OUI tableentry in the OUI table may be used for other purposes. In some examples,the OUI table may be indexed and/or keyed based on the OUI. In someexamples, the OUI table may be indexed and/or keyed based on the OUIIndex.

At the process 650, the OUI Index is determined. In some examples, whenthe OUI extracted during the process 610 already has an existing entryin the OUI table, the existing entry may be used to determine the OUIIndex. In some examples, when the OUI Index is found in the existingentry it is not necessary to regenerate the OUI Index.

At the process 660, a L3 table entry is formed. The L3 table entryincludes an IP value, the OUI Index either generated during the process630 or determined during the process 650, and the MAC Part extractedduring the process 610. In some examples, one or more of the IP value,the OUI Index, and the MAC Part may be processed by further hashingbefore being included in the L3 table entry. In some examples, the L3table entry may be the L3 table entry 540.

At the process 670, the L3 table entry is inserted into a L3 table. Insome examples, the L3 table may be indexed and/or keyed based on the IPvalue. In some examples, the L3 table entry is inserted into the L3table for reference later. In some examples, the L3 table may bemaintained for use with an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP).

FIG. 7 is a simplified diagram of data flow used to resolve a MACaddress from an IP address according to some embodiments. As shown inFIG. 7, an IP address 710 includes an IP value 712. The IP value 712 isused for a table lookup on an L3 table 720. The L3 table 720 includes afirst column 722 for IP values, a second column 724 with correspondingOUI Index values, and a third column 726 with corresponding MAC Partvalues. In some examples, the L3 table 720 may be indexed and/or keyedbased on the IP values in the first column 722. The L3 table 720 mayinclude one or more L3 table entries with an IP value (e.g., IP) and acorresponding OUI Index value (e.g., OUI Index_(j)) and MAC Part value(e.g., MAC Part_(j)). The IP value 712 may be matched to an IP value ina L3 table entry and a corresponding OUI Index value and MAC Part valueretrieved. In some examples, the L3 table entries may have been insertedduring one or more applications of the process 670. As shown in FIG. 7,the IP value 712 is matched to a jth entry 728 of the L3 table 720.

After the lookup in the L3 table 720, an OUI Index 732 and a MAC Part734 are extracted from the L3 table entry 728. In some examples, the OUIIndex 732 may be less than 3 bytes in size. In some examples, a numberof bits used to represent the OUI Index 732 may be configurable. In someexamples, MAC Part 724 may be 3 bytes in size. The OUI Index 732 is usedfor a table lookup on an OUI table 740. The OUI table 740 includes afirst column 742 for OUI values and a second column 744 withcorresponding OUI Index values. In some examples, the OUI table 740 maybe indexed and/or keyed based on OUI values in the first column 742. Insome examples, the OUI table 740 may be indexed and/or keyed based onOUI Index values in the second column 744. The OUI table 740 may includeone or more OUI table entries with an OUI value (e.g., OUI_(i)) and acorresponding OUI Index value (e.g., OUI Index_(i)). The OUI Index 732may be matched to an OUI Index value in an OUI table entry and acorresponding OUI value retrieved. In some examples, the OUI tableentries may have been inserted during one or applications of the process240 and/or the process 640. In some examples, the OUI table 740 may bethe OUI table 320 and/or the OUI table 530. As shown in FIG. 7, the OUIIndex 732 is matched to an ith entry 746 of the OUI table 740.

The OUI retrieved from the OUI table entry 746 and the MAC Part 734 arecombined to form a MAC address 750. The MAC address 750 includes an OUI752 and a MAC Part 754. In some examples, the OUI 754 may be theOUI_(i), and the MAC Part 754 may be the MAC Part 734. In some examples,one or more of the OUI_(i), and the MAC Part 734 may be concatenatedbefore forming the MAC address 750.

FIG. 8 is a simplified diagram of a method 800 of resolving a MACaddress from an IP address using an OUI Index according to someembodiments. As shown in FIG. 8, the method 800 includes a process 810for determining an OUI Index and a MAC Part, a process 820 fordetermining an OUI, and a process 830 for combining the OUI and the MACPart According to certain embodiments, the method 800 of resolving a MACaddress from an IP address using an OUI Index can be performed usingvariations among the processes 810-830 as would be recognized by one ofordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, one or more of theprocesses 810-830 of method 800 may be implemented, at least in part, inthe form of executable code stored on non-transient, tangible, machinereadable media that when run by one or more processors (e.g., one ormore processors in a network switching unit) may cause the one or moreprocessors to perform one or more of the processes 810-830.

At the process 810, an OUI Index and a MAC Part are determined. In someexamples, an IP address may be used to lookup the OUI Index and the MACPart in a L3 table. In some examples, the OUI Index may be less than 3bytes in size. In some examples, a number of bits used to represent theOUI Index may be configurable. In some examples, the MAC Part is a last3 bytes of the 48 BIT MAC address. In some examples, the IP address maybe the IP value 712, the OUI Index may be the OUI Index 732, and the MACPart may be the MAC Part 734. In some examples, the L3 table may bemaintained for use for ARP.

At the process 820, the OUI is determined. In some examples, the OUIIndex determined during the process 810 may be used to lookup the OUI inan OUI table. In some examples, the OUI may be the OUI Index 752, andthe OUI table may be the OUI table 740.

At the process 830, the OUI and the MAC Part are combined. In someexamples, the OUI and the MAC Part are combined to form a MAC address.In some examples, the MAC address may be the MAC address 750.

According to some embodiments, the method 800 may require more time tocomplete when compared to MAC address resolution when an OUI Index isnot used. In some examples, the additional time may be required due toan amount of time to determine the OUI during the process 820. In someexamples, the additional time may be relatively minor when compared to atime necessary to transmit network traffic when the network traffic isforwarded. In some examples, the additional time is reduced byimplementing the process 820 using hardware. In some examples, thehardware may include a CAM implementing the OUI table.

FIG. 9 is a simplified diagram of a network device 900 according to someembodiments. As shown in FIG. 9, the network device 900 is coupled toother network devices using one or more network links 910. In someexamples, the network device 900 may be a network switching unit. Insome examples, the network device 900 may be a router. The networkdevice 900 includes a controller 920 and a memory 930. According to someembodiments, the controller 920 may be used to make forwarding decisionsfor network traffic being handled by the network device 900. Accordingto some embodiments, the controller 920 may use one or more protocols tocommunicate with the other network devices using the one or more networklinks 910. According to some embodiments, the controller 920 may includeone or more processors. The memory 930 may include one or more types ofmachine readable media. Some common forms of machine readable media mayinclude floppy disk, flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any othermagnetic medium, CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards, papertape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, RAM, PROM,EPROM, FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, and/or any othermedium from which a processor or computer is adapted to read.

The network device 900 further includes an OUI table 940, a MAC table950, and a L3 table 960. In some examples, the OUI table 940 may be theOUI table 320, the OUI table 530, the OUI table 740, and/or the OUItable 920. In some examples, the OUI table 940 may be stored in thememory 930. In some examples, the OUI table 940 may be stored in a CAM.In some examples, the MAC table 950 may be the MAC table 340. In someexamples, the MAC table 950 may be stored in the memory 930. In someexamples, the MAC table 950 may be stored in a CAM. In some examples,the L3 table 960 may be the L3 table 720 and/or the L3 table 940. Insome examples, the L3 table 960 may be stored in the memory 930. In someexamples, the L3 table 960 may be stored in a CAM.

As discussed above and further emphasized here, FIG. 9 is merely anexample, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One ofordinary skill in the art would recognize may variations, alternatives,and modifications. According to some embodiments, other architecturesare possible for the networking device 900. In some examples, the OUItable 940, the MAC table 950, and the L3 table 960 may each be stored indifferent memories. In some examples, the MAC table 950 and/or the L3table 960 may be omitted. In some examples, the OUI table 940, the MACtable 950, and the L3 table 960 may be stored outside the networkingdevice 900. In some examples, some or all of the memory 930 may beincluded in the controller 920.

Some embodiments of the network device 900 may include non-transient,tangible, machine readable media that include executable code that whenrun by one or more processors may cause the one or more processors toperform the processes of methods 200, 400, 600, and/or 800 as describedabove. Some common forms of machine readable media that may include theprocesses of methods 200, 400, 600, and/or 800 are, for example, floppydisk, flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magneticmedium, CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, anyother physical medium with patterns of holes, RAM, PROM, EPROM,FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, and/or any other mediumfrom which a processor or computer is adapted to read.

Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a widerange of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in theforegoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of theembodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of otherfeatures. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize manyvariations, alternatives, and modifications. Thus, the scope of theinvention should be limited only by the following claims, and it isappropriate that the claims be construed broadly and in a mannerconsistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of forwarding information tableinsertion, the method comprising: extracting an organizationally uniqueidentifier (OUI) and a MAC part from a MAC address; determining whetherinformation associated with the OUI is stored in an OUI table;determining an OUI index based on the information associated with theOUI and the OUI table when the OUI is stored in the OUI table;generating the OUI index based on the information associated with theOUI when the OUI is not stored in the OUI table; forming a forwardinginformation table entry including information associated with the OUIindex and information associated with the MAC part; and inserting theforwarding information table entry into a forwarding information table.2. The method of claim 1, further comprising when the OUI is not storedin the OUI table, inserting the information associated with the OUI andthe OUI index into the OUI table.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein theOUI table is indexed based on one or more selected from a groupconsisting of the information associated with the OUI index and theinformation associated with the OUI.
 4. The method of claim 1 whereindetermining the OUI index comprises performing a table lookup.
 5. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the OUI table is stored in a contentaddressable memory.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein inserting theinformation associated with the OUI and the OUI index into the OUI tablecomprises: forming an OUI table entry including the informationassociated with the OUI and the OUI index; and inserting the OUI tableentry into the OUI table.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the OUI indexincludes n bits, n being a positive integer.
 8. The method of claim 7wherein n is smaller than a number of bits in the OUI.
 9. The method ofclaim 7 wherein n is configurable.
 10. The method of claim 1 whereingenerating the OUI index comprises hashing.
 11. The method of claim 1wherein the forwarding information table is stored in a contentaddressable memory.
 12. The method of claim 1 wherein: the forwardinginformation table entry is a MAC table entry; the forwarding informationtable is a MAC table; and the MAC table entry further includesforwarding information associated with the MAC address.
 13. The methodof claim 12 wherein the MAC table is indexed based on one or moreselected from a group consisting of the information associated with theOUI index and the information associated with the MAC part.
 14. Themethod of claim 1 wherein: the forwarding information table entry is aL3 table entry; the forwarding information table is a L3 table; and theL3 table entry further includes information associated with an IPaddress.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the L3 table is indexedbased on the information associated with the IP address.
 16. A method ofMAC table lookup, the method comprising: extracting an organizationallyunique identifier (OUI) and a MAC part from a MAC address; determiningan OUI index based on information associated with the OUI and an OUItable; combining information associated with the OUI index andinformation associated with the MAC part; and retrieving a MAC tableentry from a MAC table based on the combined information associated withthe OUI index and the information associated with the MAC part.
 17. Themethod of claim 16 wherein determining the OUI index comprisesperforming a table lookup on an OUI table.
 18. The method of claim 17wherein the OUI table is stored in a content addressable memory.
 19. Themethod of claim 17 wherein the OUI table is indexed based on theinformation associated with the OUI.
 20. The method of claim 16 whereinthe OUI index includes n bits, n being a positive integer smaller than anumber of bits in the OUI.
 21. The method of claim 20 wherein n isconfigurable.
 22. A method of MAC address resolution, the methodcomprising: determining an OUI index and a MAC part based on informationassociated with an IP address; determining an OUI based on informationassociated with the OUI index; and combining the OUI and the MAC part toform a MAC address.
 23. The method of claim 22 wherein determining theOUI comprises performing a table lookup on an OUI table.
 24. The methodof claim 23 wherein the OUI table is stored in a content addressablememory.
 25. The method of claim 23 wherein the OUI table is indexedbased on the information associated with the OUI index.
 26. The methodof claim 22 wherein the OUI index includes n bits, n being a positiveinteger smaller than a number of bits in the OUI.
 27. The method ofclaim 26 wherein n is configurable.
 28. The method of claim 22 whereindetermining an OUI index and a MAC part comprises performing a lookup ona L3 table.
 29. An information handling system comprising: a networkswitching unit including one or more processors and memory, the networkswitching unit being configured to be coupled to one or more networkdevices; an OUI table; and a MAC table; wherein the network switchingunit is configured to: extract an organizationally unique identifier(OUI) and a MAC part from a MAC address; determine whether informationassociated with the OUI is stored in the OUI table; when the OUI isstored in the OUI table, determine an OUI index based on the informationassociated with the OUI and the OUI table; when the OUI is not stored inthe OUI table, generate the OUI index based on the informationassociated with the OUI and inserting the information associated withthe OUI and the OUI index into the OUI table; form a MAC table entryincluding information associated with the OUI index and informationassociated with the MAC part; and insert the MAC table entry into theMAC table.
 30. The information handling system of claim 29 wherein oneor more of the group consisting of the OUI table and the MAC table arestored in content addressable memory.
 31. The information handlingsystem of claim 29 wherein the OUI table and the MAC table are stored inthe memory.
 32. The information handling system of claim 29, furthercomprising: a L3 table; wherein the network switching unit is furtherconfigured to: form a L3 table entry including information associatedwith an IP address, information associated with the OUI index, andinformation associated with the MAC part; and insert the L3 table entryinto the L3 table.
 33. The information handling system of claim 32wherein one or more of the group consisting of the OUI table and the L3table are stored in content addressable memory.
 34. The informationhandling system of claim 32 wherein the OUI table and the L3 table arestored in the memory.